While underway on Thursday, Juniper’s crew spotted the black-shelled, six-foot turtle entangled in a lobster pot line and unable to free itself.

Watchstanders at the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston contacted the Center for Coastal Studies and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, who gave permission and instructions on how to free the entangled turtle.

Juniper’s crew safely freed the turtle and witnessed it swim away.

“Thankfully, the Mystic Aquarium Rescue, after concurrence with NOAA, were able to walk us through the steps to free the distressed turtle”, said Lt. Cmdr. Brian Caudle, commanding officer of the Juniper. “This was the first known rescue of its kind for the crew, and with the assistance from those ashore, it ended successfully with the endangered turtle swimming away freely with no visible signs of injury.”